R&D for a more innovative SSAB

SSAB's Research & Development focuses on process development, product development and customer applications.

On October 12, a new R&D center was inaugurated in Montpelier, USA, and on October 15, a ground breaking ceremony was held in Kunshan, China for the new finishing line and R&D Center. In Sweden an agreement has also been signed between SSAB and the research institute SwereaKimab for the development of new high strength steel products.

- We aim to be able to offer even better development collaboration with our customers in all business areas, so we are investing more in research and development (R&D), says K-G Ramström, head of Group marketing and market development.

Collaboration with research institutes

SSAB enjoys close collaboration with select research and development institutes. Last week a five-year agreement was signed with SwereaKimab, which is half-owned by the state and half-owned by the private sector.

This is a long-term research cooperative agreement that aims to develop a new generation of high strength steels with improved properties that will bring added value to the customers. www.swereakimab.se

There have long been multiple research centers as part of SSAB in Sweden. There is a QT center in Oxelösund which focuses on development of production facilities for hardened products and a department for product development of QT plate. In Borlänge there is the Center of Excellence with specialists in application technology and a product development lab. In all major production sites there is also local process development within the various production sections.

New R&D centers in the US and China

The R&D centers in Montpelier, US and Kunshan, China will now supplement the Swedish research departments and at the same time offer improved service to the customers located within these business areas.

– We have a comprehensive product range in SSAB Americas and it is therefore necessary to have product development in the United States for the products that are not covered by Oxelösund, says Carl Orrling, R&D Director. In Montpelier we also offer local support with specialists in application technology and process development.

When the R&D investments take full effect next year, it will mean a 20 percent increase in research and development at SSAB.